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Free Level 2 Childcare Course in Bury Saint Edmunds

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
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About this course

Free Level 2 Childcare Course in Bury Saint Edmunds. Classes run at West Suffolk College, full-time during the day. You'll spend two days a week on placement, working under supervision with children and young people from birth to 19. The course covers early years settings, children's social care, and a range of roles across children's services. It takes one year to complete. Entry is by interview; you'll need at least four GCSEs at Grade 3 or above, including English and Maths.

Who this course is for

If you are interested in having a rewarding career with children and young people, this course could be the first step to get you there. The course will provide you with the knowledge and skill needed when working under supervision with children and young people from birth to 19 years of age. It includes a diverse array of job roles and occupational areas employed in children's settings, including early years and children social care.During this course, you will spend two days a week in a work placement allowing you to put your new knowledge and skills into practice and develop a deeper understanding of what its like working in the industry. Therefore, if you are interested in this course, you will need to have a mature and responsible outlook to manage your workload with a high degree of independence and be able to demonstrate a responsible and conscientious approach to supporting young children in work placement settings. This course is a great stepping stone to further education on a level 3 course or entering the workplace.

Entry requirements

Entry is by interview. Applicants will need a minimum of four GCSE's Grade 3 or above.Applicants will need a minimum of Grade 3 English GCSE or Level 1 Functional skill and a minimum of level 3 Maths or Maths Level 1 Functional skills.Government mandate from states employees will need to have maths and English at either Functional Skills level 2, or GCSE grade 4 to be employed in this sector.Applicants will need to be organised and highly motivated to manage their own time effectively as this is

What you will learn

  • You'll develop knowledge of child development from birth to 19 years.
  • You'll learn how to support children's health, wellbeing, and safety.
  • You'll understand safeguarding responsibilities and how to apply them in practice.
  • You'll explore communication skills for working with children, families, and colleagues.
  • You'll study equality, diversity, and inclusion in children's settings.
  • You'll gain practical experience through supervised work placement two days a week.
  • You'll learn about roles across early years, social care, and other children's services.

How you will learn

You'll learn through a mix of classroom sessions and two days a week on work placement in a children's setting. Assessment includes written assignments, observations in the workplace, and evidence gathered from your placement. You'll build a portfolio of evidence showing your knowledge and practical skills throughout the year.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. West Suffolk College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Youth support worker: supporting young people in community or care settings.
  • Nursery assistant: working with children under five in early years settings.
  • Classroom teaching assistant: supporting pupils in a school environment.
  • Playworker: leading play activities in after-school or holiday clubs.
  • Children's residential support worker: caring for young people in residential homes.
  • Family support worker: helping families access services and build parenting skills.
  • Early years practitioner: working in nurseries, children's centres, or creches.

What you could study next

A level 2 childcare qualification opens the door to further study in the sector. The Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator is the qualification recognised in statutory staffing ratios for nursery work, and is the natural next step if you want to work unsupervised with children under five. You could also progress to a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare if you're drawn to working with older children in care settings. Both qualifications deepen your skills and open more senior roles.

Apply on wsc.ac.uk →
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